Dogfight: The Battle of Britain
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
Dogfight: The Battle of Britain
By (Author) Dr Adam Claasen
Series edited by Glynn Harper
Exisle Publishing
Exisle Publishing
1st November 2012
Australia
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Modern warfare
Air forces and warfare
Battles and campaigns
940.54211
Physical Properties
Paperback
232
Width 153mm, Height 234mm
Description
This book tells the story of Australians and New Zealanders in one of the Second World Wars defining and most memorable campaigns. From July until October 1940, the German air force (the Luftwaffe) sought aerial supremacy in skies over England as a prerequisite for an invasion of Britain (Operation Sealion). The ensuing conflict of Luftwaffe and RAF aircraft in the long summer of 1940 became forever known as the Battle of Britain. Of the 574 overseas pilots in the campaign, the New Zealand contingent of 134 airmen was second in size only to the Polish contribution. The Australian involvement, though smaller, was a healthy 37. Thus a fifth of overseas pilots were Anzacs. Among these colonials were some of the Battle of Britains widely admired aces. Of the top ten pilots with the greatest number of victories two were New Zealanders (C. F. Gray and B. Carbury) and one an Australian (P. Hughes). Australian and New Zealand aircrew were also employed in attacking enemy Channel ports and airfields as part of Bomber and Coastal Commands attempts to thwart invasion preparations and blunt the Luftwaffe aerial onslaught. The Anzacs also had a fellow compatriot at the highest level in the Fighter Command system: the highly regarded New Zealander Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park, who was instrumental in devising and implementing the integrated air defence of Britain around Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, radio control and radar. In the spring of 1940, he was given the command of Group 11, which would face the brunt of the German aggression in south-east England. The success of Parks plans and operational initiatives, and the role played by Anzac pilots and aircrew, would all contribute to the conflicts eventual successful outcome.
Author Bio
Dr Adam Claasen is a lecturer in the School of Social and Cultural Studies, Massey University, Auckland, and author of Hitlers Northern War Series editor Glyn Harper is a highly respected military historian.
